Forum Index > Trip Reports > Yellow Aster Butte and Chain Lakes - 9/25-9/26/2009
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TPayne
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Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 225 | TRs | Pics
Location: Olympia
TPayne
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PostMon Sep 28, 2009 3:32 pm 
This was my first trip to the Mt Baker area, and won't be the last! I read about many interesting trails. Because of a recent trip report from the Zachster, I decided on Yellow Aster Butte for an overnighter. Beautiful fall color, all along the way. Talked to a few hikers coming down the trail, all said it was an amazing place. One said I was the 22nd going up that day. At the top looking down at the tarns, I could see a few tents around. I planned on watching the sunset from the summit, so I wanted a closer site to the main trail. I looked around for a while, but didn't find the perfect place. One suitable spot had a food cache hanging from the tree, which eliminated that site as a possibility... I found a nice spot a bit farther away from the main trail than I'd hoped, but it had a great view. The ground was a bit soggy in the middle, so I set up my tent on the edge. The sunset was amazing from the top. A cloud would form, then dissipate over Baker. Once the sun set, I headed back to camp. I stopped along the way to filter water. As I was pumping, noticed it sure was getting dark...fast. I put on my headlamp and hurried back. I followed the boot path, took the correct turn-off, but then lost my sense of direction. I knew I was within a hundred yards, but couldn't see my camp. Before I'd left, I set a waypoint with my GPS, this didn't really help much because I was so close. I circled around a few minutes then found the site, stupid waiting till dark to return. Lesson learned.
Fall color
Fall color
Tarns and Tomyhoi Peak
Tarns and Tomyhoi Peak
Yellow Aster Butte
Yellow Aster Butte
Campsite
Campsite
On my way to view the sunset from the top
On my way to view the sunset from the top
Reflections in Yellow Aster Butte tarn
Reflections in Yellow Aster Butte tarn
Hillside on fire
Hillside on fire
Trail to the top
Trail to the top
Mt Shuksan at sunset
Mt Shuksan at sunset
Waiting around for sunset
Waiting around for sunset
Cloud forming over Baker
Cloud forming over Baker
Shuksan, the Moon, and Baker
Shuksan, the Moon, and Baker
Mt Shuksan at Sunrise from camp
Mt Shuksan at Sunrise from camp
Alpenglow on Baker
Alpenglow on Baker
Mt Baker
Mt Baker
Pano's
Tarn at Yellow Aster Butte
Tarn at Yellow Aster Butte
Yellow Aster Butte
Yellow Aster Butte
View from Yellow Aster Butte
View from Yellow Aster Butte
Shuksan and Baker from Yellow Aster Butte
Shuksan and Baker from Yellow Aster Butte
I left camp around 7AM, a cool 35 degrees, to head to Artist Point for a day hike of either Chain Lakes or Ptarmigan Ridge. The clouds were swirling around Baker and Shuksan, so I explored the Chain Lakes. Excellent fall color and lots of berries. I waited around for an hour or so hoping the clouds would part for pictures of Shuksan, they sure like to tease.
Trail from Artist Point
Trail from Artist Point
Fall color and Table Mountain
Fall color and Table Mountain
Lunch along Mazama Lake
Lunch along Mazama Lake
Iceburg Lake
Iceburg Lake
Arbuthnot Lake
Arbuthnot Lake
Blueberries along a lake shore
Blueberries along a lake shore
Table Mountain
Table Mountain
Baker appears from the clouds
Baker appears from the clouds
Shuksan behind the clouds
Shuksan behind the clouds
Cloud rolling through
Cloud rolling through
I stopped at the famous spot at Picture Lake to find about 20 people lined up with Camera's and tripods waiting for sunset. Tried to talk myself into waiting too, but it was still 2 hours till the sunset and I was tired. I snapped a few pictures, and hit the road for the 200 mile trip home.
Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake
Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake
Shuksan reflection
Shuksan reflection
9127 foot Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake
9127 foot Mt Shuksan from Picture Lake
Mt Shuksan from Highwood Lake
Mt Shuksan from Highwood Lake

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Tom
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Joined: 15 Dec 2001
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Tom
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PostMon Sep 28, 2009 3:35 pm 
Nice pics! Sounds like it was pretty crowded up at YAB this weekend.

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bobbi
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics
Location: olympics!
bobbi
stillaGUAMish
PostMon Sep 28, 2009 3:38 pm 
the yellow aster butte area is gorgeous, especially without bugs! these buggers made my experience excruciating from smacking the flies. it's a good thing that the beauty outweighs the bugs. lovely photos up.gif thank you~ biggrin.gif

bobbi ૐ "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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TrailPair
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Joined: 17 Apr 2005
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TrailPair
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PostMon Sep 28, 2009 4:15 pm 
Beautiful! smile.gif

This thing called work is interfering with my play
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Hikingqueen
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Hikingqueen
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PostMon Sep 28, 2009 4:18 pm 
OMG, fantastic photos! You are so LUCKY! Baker will have to wait for me till next year. Thanks for sharing up.gif

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bonobo
Owl Juggler for rent



Joined: 23 Jun 2004
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bonobo
Owl Juggler for rent
PostMon Sep 28, 2009 5:59 pm 
Just beautiful! I couldn't decide on Walt Bailey, YAB, or Ingalls lake yesterday, but ended up at Ingalls. YAB is definitely on my list for next year - I was thinking of flower season but your pics are so lovely that I may have to move it to berry season instead!

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Snowdog
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Location: on (& off) the beaten path
Snowdog
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PostTue Sep 29, 2009 12:52 pm 
nice trip, even nicer pics! I believe we met at Hidden lake lookout a few weeks back? Now I must get myself to yab...........

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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the Zachster
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the Zachster
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PostTue Sep 29, 2009 9:05 pm 
It really does get dark fast now! But catching the sunset from the summit is so worth it... glad you got to enjoy it. BTW, those are very blue blueberries you found there! hockeygrin.gif Some of the best of the year. agree.gif

"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Yellow Aster Butte and Chain Lakes - 9/25-9/26/2009
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